Maria had never been one to ignore instincts. And now, more than ever, they screamed at her. Richard's betrayal was just the first card in a stacked deck. Someone else was pulling strings—and the next move wouldn't just be about money.
It would be personal.
---
Three Days Later...
The penthouse was quiet. Too quiet.
Maria had just dropped Junior off at his new weekend arts program—a safer, more guarded environment after the scandal with Richard. Alexander had flown to London for an emergency shareholders' meeting. She had the house to herself.
Or so she thought.
Her phone buzzed with a new message—from an unknown number.
"Nice view from your balcony. I almost miss the old hotel days."
Maria's heart dropped.
She rushed to the balcony. No one.
She went back inside, locked every door, then opened her laptop. She hadn't told Alexander yet, but after Richard's betrayal, she had quietly hired a private digital investigator to track Chuka's movements.
There it was. A ping. The message had originated less than a block away.
Chuka was watching her.
---
That evening...
Alexander called from his London suite.
"I should be back in two days," he said. "We're cleaning up the board, and I've made sure Richard won't step foot in any office again."
Maria hesitated, then confessed. "Chuka sent me a message. He's close. I think he's planning something."
Silence on the line. Then Alexander's voice dropped, deadly calm.
"I'll double security. Don't leave the building unless absolutely necessary."
Maria nodded, gripping the phone tighter. "Alex… I think Chuka's not working alone."
He paused. "You think Richard and Chuka were partners?"
"No. I think Chuka is the bigger threat."
---
Midnight…
Maria couldn't sleep.
She checked on Junior—still peacefully dreaming—and made herself tea.
A soft knock startled her.
It wasn't the door.
It was the balcony glass.
Slowly, her eyes lifted—and locked with a shadow.
A face she hadn't seen since Lagos, grinning at her from behind the glass.
Chuka.
He mouthed the words: "You're mine."
She screamed and hit the panic button. Sirens blared. Guards flooded the floor. But Chuka was already gone.
Like smoke.